Monolithic constructor.



G. E. THOMPSON. MONOLITHIC CONSTRUUTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY '1, 1911.

1,107,377, Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Inventor by A y r a Attorneys G. E. THOMPSON. MONOLITHIG CONSTRUGTOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 7,1911.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

2 SHEET8-SHEET 2.

Inventor Witnesses Attorneys TED STATES PATENT OFTQE.

GEORGE E. THOMPSON, OF MOOOOK, NEBRASKA.

IVLONOLITHIC GONSTRUCTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at McCook, in the county of Redwillow and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Monolithic Constructor, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a molding structure whereby a wall, and notably a wall consisting of air spaced parts, may be fashioned with facility and despatch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of this sort in which the molding elements are elevated vertically, as the height of the wall is increased, the molding elements moving upwardly, simultaneously with a platform, upon which is located, the sand, cement and the like, together with the means for mixing the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for raising and lowering the platform whereby the molds are carried, and to provide means for maintaining the molds properly positioned with such a platform.

With the above and other ob ects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of 1nvention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 shows the complete invention in perspective; Fig. 2 1s an end elevation of one set of molds, together with the platform whereby the same are carried, parts being shown in section; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of one of the posts whereby the platform is carr1ed,-a

view depicting the manner in which the platform is connected with the posts, and the means for raising and lowering the platform. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line A-B of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the supporting posts; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the post shown in Fig. 5, the view points in Figs. 5 and 6 being remote from each other, both views serving to depict the manner in which the sheaves are assembled with the posts; and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of one of the counter weights.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 7, 1911.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914. Serial No. 637,289.

In carrying out the invention there is provlded, as a primary and fundamental element, a superstructure. This superstructure preferably comprises a series of earth embedded posts 1. The posts 1 comprise separate parts, hingedly connected, adjacent the ground, as shown at 2, the hinged connection 2 facilitating the lowering of the upper ends of the posts 1. The posts 1. are stayed by guys 3, extended downwardly from the tops of the posts 1, to the ground. The posts 1 are connected at their upper ends, by an open frame, consisting of rods 4, the same being two-part structures, connected by turn buckles 5. From the foregoing it will be. seen that, through the instrumentality of the guys 3 and the rods 4, the latter being adjustable, the posts 1 will be fixedly upheld in vertical positions.

The invention further includes a platform 6, mounted within the space defined by the posts 1, and slidably connected with the posts. The platform 6 is a collapsible structure, and may be fashioned in any desired manner. The platform 6 is braced by a truss structure, the same comprising of an open frame 60, the ends of the members of which are received in sockets 7. These sockets 7 also receive the upper ends of downwardly slanting braces 8, united with the platform 6. Vertical suspension rods 9 connect the braces 8 with the platform 6. From the foregoing it will be seen that the platform 6 is suiiiciently trussed, against sagging, and is well adapted to withstand the heavy, superposed weight.

The platform 6 is adapted to be raised and lowered, along the posts 1, and further to determine the vertical position of the platform 6 accurately, the posts 1 are inscribed with graduations 10. The posts 1 which are preferably I-beams, are equipped with rungs 11, the construction therefore being such that the posts 1 serve as ladders, whereby an ascent can be made to the platform 6. In the posts 1 there are a series of vertically alined openings 12, having a function which will be described hereinafter.

Disposed upon the platform 6 and extended from points adjacent the center of the platform, toward the periphery thereof, are diagonal bars 14, carrying at their outer ends, upright casings 15, adapted to surround the posts 1, as seen most clearly in Fig. 4c. The casings 15, therefore, serve as a means for connecting the platform 6 slidably with the posts 1. Into the openings 12 in the posts 1, and into openings in the casing 15, pins 16, shown most clearly in Fig. 3, may be inserted. Thus, when desired, the platform 6 may be maintained rigidly at the desired vertical elevation.

Noting Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen, that, the posts 1 are vertically slotted, as shown at 17, in their upper ends. In these slots 17 0 are removably seated, shafts 18, carrying sheaves 19, the posts 1 being slotted, as shown at '17, to receive the sheaves 19. About the sheaves 19 are passed flexible elements 20, these flexible elements 20 being connected, at one end, with the platform 6. Preferably, although not necessarily, as shown in Fig. 3, the flexible elements are connected with the diagonal bars 14. The free ends of the flexible elements 20, carry 20 counter weights 21. These counter weights 21 are in the form of dumping buckets, comprising each, a casing 22, having a hinged bottom 23, secured in closed position by means of a latch 24.

It will be seen that the counter weights 21 serve to offset the weight of the platform 6, so that the platform 6 may be raised and lowered readily without extreme effort. The casings 22, of the counter weights 21 are adapted to receive sand, crushed stone,

or the like, and when the structure is knocked down, at the completion of a job,

by manipulating the latches 24, the bottoms 23 of the casings 22 will be permitted to drop, thereby freeing the counter weights of their contents.

A means is provided for raising and lowering the platform 6 with respect to the posts 1. In providing such a means, shafts 25 are journaled for rotation in the casings 15. These shafts 25 are provided with crank portions 26, and with pinions 27, meshing in the racks 28, secured to or formed integrally with, the posts 1, the racks 28'extending the full length of the posts. It will be seen that the workmen, standing upon the platform, may manipulate the cranks 26, the pinions 27 meshing into the racks 28, thereby effecting a raising and lowering of the platform.

The platform 6 supports a series of depending molds. The suspension means for these molds, comprises a series of brackets 29, secured to the lower face of the platform 6. These brackets are each provided with a pair of outer cars 30, between which is located the central ear 31. Removably engaged with the outer ears 30, are angularly disposed, notched arms 32, constitut- 0 ing parts of hangers 33, secured to the upper ends of rods 34. Other hangers 35, assembled with the upper ends of rods 36, are united with the central ears 31, the rods 36 being located between the rods 34. Each rod 36 is united with one rod 34 by means of a latch 37, and the rods 36 are united by means of the latch 38. These latch structures 37 and 38 may be of any desired construction, adapted to prevent a separation of the rods which they unite. The rods 34 are united with the platform 6 by means of diagonal brace rods 39, the constituent parts of which are pivoted respectively, to the rods 34, and the platform 6. The rods 39 are two part structures, the adjacent ends of which are connected by knuckles 40.

Secured to the inner faces of the rods 34, adjacent their lower ends, are plates 41, of any desired construction. Secured to the outer faces of the rods 36, adjacent their lower ends, and facing the plates 41, are plates 42. The plates 41 extend upwardly, above the upper edges of the plates 42. Located between the rods 36, and bridging the I space between the plates 42, is a removable bar43.

The lower edges of the plates 42, are spaced above the lower edges of the plates 41, for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Suspended from the platform 6, adjacent 99 the corners of the same, are bars 47, having functions which will be described hereinafter. The platform 6 carries a series of de pending stirrup irons 48, adapted to support a scafiold. Located at any desired points in the platform 6 are one or more hoppers 49, provided with depending tubes 50. I At this point it may be stated that the device herein disclosed, is adapted to form a 109 monolithic structure of any desired contour, rectangular or otherwise. The device is adapted not only for the formation of the n exterior walls of such a structure, but, as well, for the formation of the partitions 1 5 within such a structure. For the sake of clearness in illustration and description, it has been presupposed that the device is to be i. employed for the fashioning of the outer walls of a rectangular building, but it is to 1 .4 be understood that in practical operation, the device will by no means be limited to the formation of such structures. I

The operation of the device is as follows: The sand, cement, and broken stone, the concrete mixer, and all of theother elements necessary for the formation of the aggregate, are placed upon the platform 6, certain of the workmen taking their positions upon the platform 6, to attend to the mixing of the concrete, certain other of the workmen taking their positions upon the scaffolds which are supported by the stirrup irons 48, for the purpose of superintending the depositing of the mixed material in the molds. The mixed material is depositedv into the hopper 49, from which it will pass, by means of the tube 50, between the side plates 41 of the mold. Since the upper edges of the plates 42 are bridged by the filler bar 43, it 136 will be seen that the filler bar 43 may be entirely covered with the plastic material. The material is thus deposited between the plates 41 and 42, and is tamped in place. Between the depositing of successive layers of the material, transverse tie members, preferably shown in the form of pipes 45, are placed in abutment with the lower edges of the plates 42, the ends of the bars or pipes 45 being, of course, included between the plates 41, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. These tie members 45 serve to unite the spaced Walls 51, the extremities of the tie members 45 being threaded, so that rafter brackets, or the like may be assembled therewith, the members 45, therefore, serving, at once, as retaining elements for the walls 51, and as a means for supporting any portion of the structure which may be applied to the walls.

When the concrete has set sufficiently, the brace rods 39 may be loosened, through the instrumentality of the knuckle joints 40, permitting the outer rods 34, together with the plates 41, to be loosened slightly from the finished wall. The plates 42 are also loosened from the wall by removing the bar 43. The cranks 26 are then manipulated, the pinions 27 of which, meshing into the racks 28, will effect the raising of the platform, and a consequent raising of the mold plates 41 and 42, into the positions shown in Fig. 2. A further increment may be added to the walls 51, in the manner hereinbefore described, the process being repeated until the walls have been carried up to the desired height. When the walls have been completed, the platform 6 may be knocked down, and removed from the walls.

The bar 47 is to be employed at all an les in the wall, in the interior of said ang es. The plates 41 which extend along one side of the wall, cannot be in close contact with the plates which extend along the other side of the wall, for the reason that, as hereinbefore described, the plates 41 must be swung outwardly, to free said plates from the wall sections 51, prior to the elevation of the platform and the mold plates. The bars 47, therefore, serve as a means for closing the interior angles at the corners of the walls, the plates 41, extending along one side of the wall, being inefiicient to co5perate with similar plates extended along the other side of the wall, for the reasons hereinbefore described.

It will be understood readily, that the notched arms 32 which are connected with the bars 34, may be moved laterally in the hangers 29, permitting the separation of the outer mold plates 41, whereby walls of dif ferent thicknesses may be formed. Under such circumstances, the latch members 37 will be replaced by other similar latch members of greater length.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a platform; inner wall forming members connected with the platform; outer wall forming members; a single set of elements constituting at once a means for pivotally connecting each outer wall-forming member with the platform and a means for affording a step by step adjustment between the inner and outer wall-forming members; collapsible means connecting the outer wall-forming members with the platform to revent pivotal movement of the outer wallorming member and means connecting the outer wall forming members with the platform step by step adjustment with respect to the inner wall-forming members; means for holding all of said members spaced; and means for raising and lowering the platform.

2. In a device of the class described, a series of posts independent of the finished product, and located beyond the periphery of the finished product; a centrally unbroken mixing platform having its periphery slidably connected with the posts, the posts constituting the sole guides for directing the vertical movement of the platform; means upon the posts for supporting the platform; a mold for forming a continuous wall, depending from the platform; and a chute opening through the platform and adapted to discharge into the mold and beyond the inner face of the mold, thus to permit the forming of the bottom of the finished product, the posts being removable independently of the finished product and the centrally unbroken construction of the mixing platform serving to protect the bottom of the finished product during the construction thereof.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. THOMPSON.

WVitnesses:

W. D. EATON, W. G. SoHnNoK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

" Washington, 10. G. 

